Pakistan, Oct. 24 -- Australia will have some hard decisions to make over the weekend as they lick their wounds after a bruising loss in the second Test against South Africa and consider their line-up for the series-deciding clash next week.

Defeat by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha has left several players' places in jeopardy and given the selectors plenty to ponder before the third Test starts in Cape Town on Tuesday.

Australia are not known for making knee-jerk changes after a defeat, and captain Pat Cummins was circumspect on the topic after the loss at St George's Park. "It's always that delicate balance," he said of a potential switch in personnel.

"Do you feel like someone's just about to turn the corner and they're going to ...